Domain held hostage

C

chatterbox

New member
A year ago, when I was much more of a newbie, I purchased several domain names for future development. Some I started building the sites but a few still were not developed at all. Anyhow, I naively fell for a "lifetime hosting" deal for unlimited domains so I parked all of mine there. All of a sudden the host disappeared. Turns out they were a reseller so the original company now had control over all the domains.

I found myself locked out of my own sites. I couldn't even transfer the domains due to the company locking them. They said they emailed everyone concerned that they had 30 days to move them or we would have to sign up with them to get access. I never received a single email and many people I talked to didn't either. I refused to sign up with them in order to access my own domain names so I have since let them expire.

My question is, what should I have done? I really hated losing some of these names as they were perfect for what I wanted. Obviously, I learned my lesson about too good to be true hosting deals, as well.
 
Obviously, you've learned to pay the cost of the domain registration up front.

Another item to look for is access to your domains control panel. This will allow you to lock/unlock the domain and transfer if necessary.
 
I'm not sure I understand your response?

I'm not sure what you mean by the cost of domain registration upfront? The domain names were all purchased and registered through good companies like namecheap and godaddy. I had access to everything until the host disappeared. Then somehow the parent company locked me out of my control panels and locked my information up. I couldn't transfer the domains because I couldn't access the information needed to do so.
 
chatterbox said:
I'm not sure what you mean by the cost of domain registration upfront? The domain names were all purchased and registered through good companies like namecheap and godaddy. I had access to everything until the host disappeared. Then somehow the parent company locked me out of my control panels and locked my information up. I couldn't transfer the domains because I couldn't access the information needed to do so.
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I apologize for misunderstanding, I interpreted your post to mean that the company that you registered the domains through had their own control panel and that you purchased registration as part of a lifetime package.

accuurrtt's statement is correct. It may possibly have worked to go to the registrar with proof of registration after the fact.

Did the registrar lock you out of it's control panel?

Just for clarity, which company does this refer to:
I found myself locked out of my own sites. I couldn't even transfer the domains due to the company locking them. They said they emailed everyone concerned that they had 30 days to move them or we would have to sign up with them to get access. I never received a single email and many people I talked to didn't either. I refused to sign up with them in order to access my own domain names so I have since let them expire.
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Had a similar problem with mavrickteam.com with one of my clients who had registered subdomains to her main site through them. Lucky her main site was registered with Godaddy.com. Make sure you do not owe them any monies. Find out who they are resselling for and contact the domain name seller( icann, tucows, ect...), have receipt/invoice ready and they will assist you.
 
Never thought to ask the registrar

I honestly can't remember the name of the hosting company off the top of my head now...it's been several months since this happened. There was quite a bit of talk in internet marketing forums about the way the company left us high and dry, though.

It never even occurred to me to ask the registrar's for help. I'll keep that in mind, even though I'm hoping to not encounter a "next time".
 
Have you ever heard about SEDO? As far as know they are the biggest parking service. Try to learn more maybe it is the issue you have been looking for?
 
Hi Chatterbox,

It is an unfortunate situation and I wish you all best in getting your domains back. From the sounds of it you will have more luck waiting the until the domains expire then hoping that the bureaucracy sorts itself out before then. There are two things you may want to give a try first.

1. Try everything you can to contact the owner/administrator of the reseller account. Search online for any contact details that might lead back to them. They are your best bet at getting your domains back quickly.

2. Try to get someone on the phone at the company that holds the domain names. When you call in ask to speak to the supervisor, the higher up the better. Calmly explain your situation, you may have more luck talking to some directly then by using email. If they still say no, then ask to speak to someone higher up.


Good luck!
 
As Ash said, just keep going higher. If you don't get satisfaction, then go higher still.

Ultimately though it sounds like perhaps you will be ok once they expire and you can register them again elsewhere.
 
In reading this I would hope it was just a misunderstanding and not a case of a company trying to blackmail you into signing up for their service by holding your names hostage. I hope you can work it out through the support/management chain.
 
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